March 15 was the preferred planting date in eastern 7a when I lived ( Virginia) . Some varieties do better than others so you might want to use a standard variety as a control. Pure compost is probably not your best choice. They grow well in average well prepared soil. Too much nitrogen is usually the reason for huge vines and no potatoes. Don't worry about flowering, some varieties do, some don't.

Thank you! I was following instructions from somewhere to use straight compost, but now I can't even find the reference.

Anyone out there from West NC have any recommendations on varieties? I'd really love to have purple potatoes, but other than that I'm flexible.

Should I take the flowers off to let the plants put more energy into the potatoes? They also made little fruits, which seems like a waste of energy.

Thanks so much for the help!!

Ann

No. Just leave the flowers alone. As before not all varieties flower but it does not bother the plant. Varieties sold at local feed and seed stores are usually the most productive for the area. In North Carolina, that will usually be Kennebec, Pontiac and Yukon Gold. You might find a Red Norland on occasion. sometimes an All Blue which does pretty well. The old Peruvian Purple is notorious for poor yields. Have not tried any other purples.

Compost is primarily a soil amendment, not a source of nutrients. And while you certainly don't need excessive amount of nitrogen, potatoes do require a fair amount of all the common nutrients in some form. So you do have to feed them some form of supplements.

Dave

I hear potatoes prefer acidic soil, and struggle in more alkaline soil. Maybe that's why someone was thinking pure compost might be good. (I'm not saying they were right about it being a good idea, but it might be acidic, anyhow.) People say they're supposed to like sandy soil, too (sandy soil is often acidic, though; so, it's hard to say if both are factors).

I don't have that much experience growing potatoes; so, I'm just chipping in here with stuff I've heard.

Thanks Shule! Any little bit helps, since there is obviously some misinformation out there! I bet they'd like some peat moss too then. I'll definitely do more reading before I start again but it sounds like there's lots of room for improvement!

Go with farmerdill's planting dates, not the Maine info. Heat can greatly affect potato growth....and us northerners don't really understand the heat of areas to the south. We think it is hot when the temps top 80 degrees :) Also, be sure nutrients/fertilizer are available throughout the season.

Will do! I just ordered kennebec and All Blue (both are on the NCSU Extension website and I love purple!) and I'm ready to roll March 15! Thanks everyone!